Donald Trump 'interrupts' White House meetings for personal calls on his cell phone, claims report

A senior administration official stated that Donald Trump often paused meetings to call UFC’s Dana White and ex-Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch
PUBLISHED JUL 4, 2025
A new report revealed that President Donald Trump often excused himself from White House meetings to use his personal cell phone (Getty Images)
A new report revealed that President Donald Trump often excused himself from White House meetings to use his personal cell phone (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump reportedly continues to rely on his cell phone while in high-level White House meetings, often stepping out to call friends and allies.

A new NBC News report reveals how Trump prioritizes his personal network, raising concerns among aides and officials over the security and professionalism inside the Oval Office.

Donald Trump calls Dana White and Rupert Murdoch mid-meeting

A senior administration official told the station that Trump frequently pauses Oval Office meetings to call confidants, including UFC President Dana White and Rupert Murdoch, the former chairman of Fox and News Corp.

upert Murdoch attends Citymeals On Wheels' 33rd Annual Power Lunch For Women at The Plaza Hotel on November 19, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
Rupert Murdoch attends Citymeals On Wheels' 33rd Annual Power Lunch For Women at The Plaza Hotel on November 19, 2019 in New York City (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)

“Trump will interrupt an Oval Office meeting and spontaneously pick up the phone and call a friend or confidant,” said the official.

The aids added that Trump would often complain about media coverage, saying, “Let’s call Rupert. Fox is killing me today.”

Two aides confirmed to the publication that Trump has discussed major international matters, such as the conflict between Israel and Iran, directly with Murdoch to get his perspective on Washington’s involvement.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - FEBRUARY 20: Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White greets President Donald Trump on stage during a Keep America Great rally on February 20, 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Cory Gardner, a first-term Republican up for reelection this year, joined Trump at the rally. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White greets President Donald Trump on stage during a Keep America Great rally on February 20, 2020, in Colorado Springs, Colorado (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

Donald Trump 'lives on the telephone'

A Republican senator who chose to remain unnamed described Trump's continued informal approach to leadership.

“He does what he wants, and they [Trump aides] let him do it,” the senator said.

Reflecting on a recent interaction, the lawmaker added, “I don’t think the president’s habits have changed much. He watches a lot of TV, and he lives on the telephone."

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 05: U.S. President Donald Trump joined by women athletes signs the “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order in the East Room at the White House on February 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. The executive order, which Trump signed on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, prohibits transgender women from competing in women’s sports and is the third order he has signed that targets transgender people. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump, joined by women athletes, signs the 'No Men in Women’s Sports' executive order in the East Room at the White House on February 5, 2025 in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The aide revealed, "He likes to be called. In fact, last time I was with him, he said, ‘Why don’t you call me anymore?’ and I’m thinking, ‘Because I don’t have anything to say and, No 2, because you’re the president and you’re busy.’”

Trump sparks fears of security ‘spillage’ in fighter jet meeting

Concerns about information leaks surfaced after Trump met military officials in March to discuss the F-47, the first sixth-generation fighter jet.

The meeting was interrupted by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who walked in unexpectedly and was asked to wait outside by the officials.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, leaves the room during a break in a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on January 31, 2024 in Washington, DC. The committee heard testimony from the heads of the largest tech firms on the dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, leaves the room during a break in a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on January 31, 2024 in Washington, DC (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

During the meeting, a young aide briefly interrupted to show something on her laptop to the president. According to the report, Trump’s cell phone also rang multiple times.

Some of those present were left confused and worried, discussing among themselves whether these disruptions might have led to sensitive data being compromised. One attendee asked whether they should be concerned about “spillage.”

However, on Wednesday, July 2, a senior White House official said the incident was “mischaracterized” by the publication.

Caption: WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: (L-R) Priscilla Chan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, and businessman Jeff Bezos, among other dignitaries, attend the United States Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States. (Photo by Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Images)
(L-R) Priscilla Chan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, and businessman Jeff Bezos, among other dignitaries, attend the United States Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC (Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Images)

“He was not asked to leave,” the official told a separate news outlet. “He popped in to say hello at the president’s request and then left to wait for his meeting with POTUS to begin, which was scheduled to occur after the meeting with the pilots.”

Donald Trump 'likes to see whom he wants and call whom he chooses'

A senior White House official, as per the report, said, Trump casually refers to the Oval Office as “Grand Central Terminal.” Another person familiar with the meeting called it a “bizarro world.”

Several attempts to impose " a certain discipline in the Trump White House" have had limited results. The report mentioned that both current and former aides agree that the president maintains a loose style of governing.

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: U.S. President Donald Trump exits Air Force One for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump exits Air Force One for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2025, in Daytona Beach, Florida (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

“Trump likes to see whom he wants and call whom he chooses,” they shared with NBC News, describing a West Wing environment that continues to reflect Trump's own character and priorities.

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